James did not see why his wife should accompany him on the second day as she was not to testify. Charlotte, however, fiercely disagreed with her husband.
"And what? Let you go alone? Sit alone? Meanwhile, I sit here in the inn and twiddle my thumbs?" said Charlotte.
"Stress is not good for the baby."
"Which is why I will accompany you. Otherwise, the stress from my anger will be bad for the baby," she retorted.
The expectant mother won the argument. She would not be turned from her position.
When they arrived in the courtroom, Charlotte was pleased to see that Mrs. Hadden—formerly Miss Bingley—was present. Not only did Mrs. Hadden give Charlotte another lady to speak with, but she also then had more evidence that the courtroom was not a place unsuitable for her to be.
They had arrived only just before the session began, so it was mere minutes before the judge and jury took their places. Mr. Collins took the witness stand and swore in the Bible.
"Can you give your account, sir, of the evening prior to and the morning of the poisoning?" asked the prosecutor.
"I arrived first at Longbourn, for there had been some confusion and I believed that I would be staying there rather than at Netherfield," Mr. Collins began. "Then Mr. James Bennet arrived, and we went to Netherfield. I dressed for dinner. We had a nice meal after the rest of the Bennets arrived. After they left, I went to bed. In the morning, I ordered breakfast. I drink tea in the mornings, so I was fortunate enough to escape the illness. However, by mid-morning, both Mr. and Mrs. James Bennet were very ill. Believing it to be perhaps catching, I hid away. My patroness has rather delicate health, so I did not wish to carry any disease back to her. I did not learn of Mr. Darcy's illness until later. I became more worried as it seemed that it was catching. One does not think it very unusual when a husband and wife become ill at the same time, but when a guest also becomes ill, then it is clear the whole house may be at risk."
"And so you claim you did not know what caused the illness?"
"No, sir."
"Were you surprised when, later in the morning, you were placed under guard?"
"Very much so. They thought I was to blame for their falling ill, but I couldn't imagine why."
"Then arsenic was found when you were searched."
"I do not know how it got there. I can only suppose that it was placed there while I was sleeping. You see, I often have trouble sleeping, so I take a sleeping draught."
"Why would anyone put the vial there? Why not stash it in your room? Perhaps in a drawer?"
"I suppose for the same reason you find the location so odd. I believe they both meant to make certain the blame was placed upon me and to humiliate me."
"You did not feel it there when you awoke? Nothing seemed out of place, perhaps?"
This question drew laughs from all in the courtroom, including several members of the jury.
"I felt as if I were constipated, but that was all."
"I see. Then why did you call the footmen and Mr. Fitzwilliam thieves when they took the vial away?"
"I do not know. I was angry at having my person so violated. I called them all manner of names, but would you not if you believed that someone was attempting to sodomise you against your will and beliefs?"
"That is, then, what you believed they were doing?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware that we found matching vials in your kitchen at the parsonage, except that they contained salt and spices instead of poison?"
"I suppose many people have similar containers."
"I would like you to read these two copies of these letters," said the prosecutor. He told the jury that there were several other letters submitted for review.
"Very well," said Mr. Collins, and he sat forward to read the letters. He blanched when he read the contents.
"Are these letters familiar to you, sir?" asked the lawyer.
Mr. Collins could not answer, for he was speechless with shock.
"Sir, are these letters correspondence between you and your former patroness?"
"I-I have never seen these before," said Mr. Collins.
"You have not? May I ask then why one was found in the parsonage where you lived?"
"I do not know, sir."
"We have compared the script to that of other letters you have written. It is your hand."
"Handwriting can be imitated," objected the defence.
"Sit down," ordered the judge.
"Handwriting can be mimicked, but not as flawlessly as this."
"I have not seen those letters before. It must have been made by someone else and put in my home."
"The letter was found by Mrs. Bateman, your patroness. Do you believe that she is somehow against you?"
"I- No, I do not, but someone else might have gained access before. Or perhaps a servant."
The judge called this line of questioning to an end. As Mr. Collins displayed utter defiance when it came to any other line of questioning, the defence was called to the stand.
"Mr. Collins, why did you write initially to Mr. James Bennet?"
"Our fathers had a quarrel with each other. As my father has departed this earth, I thought it might be possible to heal the breach in the family."
"How did you intend to heal the breach?"
"I thought to come to know my relations, and perhaps, as all of my female cousins are quite lovely, but I did not believe them able to make grand matches, to increase my connection to the Bennets through marriage."
"You did not attempt to come to know them against their will, as the letter that is from you to Lady Catherine implies?"
"No, sir," said Mr. Collins, "Not against their will. I meant to make an offer to one of them, and as my position as rector on Hunsford provides a good living, I supposed that I would be accepted."
"You have already told the court of your response when you learned the Bennets were ill. Is there anything else you want to add?"
"Only that I was quite shocked by the accusation, and that a poisoning had occurred. I guessed that it must have been a servant and I would be released from my imprisonment as soon as the culprit was identified. When the blame shifted more and more onto me, I did not know what to think. I did not poison them, so the attempted murderer was still free in the house. I worried for everyone's safety."
"Thank you, Mr. Collins. Worried for everyone's safety. I do not think that sounds like a guilty man, but one who is being used as a scapegoat. Perhaps a man being victimised himself, as a means to an end. After all, he is the heir presumptive, as we heard yesterday."
The court adjourned for a short time to allow the jurors to look at the letters and other evidence and discuss what they had learned that day. The Bennets sent a servant to fetch food from a nearby inn for them and their party, as they had invited the Haddens to join them for their meal.
"He is the most absurd man I have ever met," said Mrs. Hadden as they ate in a private room.
"Mr. Collins?" asked her husband.
"Who else? Truly! The jar put in him when he was sleeping and he did not even feel it when he awakened," Mrs. Hadden said with a scoff. "I know it is not proper to speak of, and of course, I have no knowledge of that area in particular, but if something is within my body, I think I would know it."
Charlotte tipped her tea in her surprise at Mrs. Hadden's words. James blushed deeply.
"Come now, Mrs. Bennet. You know as well as I," said Mrs. Hadden.
"I suppose...," said Charlotte.
"No woman would believe that lie if they were on a jury."
James and Mr. Hadden looked entirely uncomfortable with the conversation between the women.
"I have often thought there should be women on juries, but I cannot say that particular reason has ever crossed my mind," said Charlotte.
"Perhaps it is being married to a doctor that has loosened my tongue on such subjects, so I apologise if I discomforted you, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, but truly, no married woman would believe such a tale."
"You are correct, Madam," admitted Charlotte with a laugh, now that her discomfort had somewhat subsided. The others joined Charlotte in laughter, as all had need of a laugh after the past two days.
When the court was again called to session, very little else was to be said. A few last statements were made, but nothing of particular note occurred. The jury spent less than an hour in deliberation before coming to a verdict.
"The prisoner is found guilty. You are sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. May God have mercy on your soul," declared the judge.
"Wait! No! I am a clergyman!" cried Mr. Collins.
"I do not think he is any longer," whispered Mrs. Hadden.
"That bloody whore's son is lying! He lied!" Mr. Collins screamed as he was hauled out of the courtroom.
The Bennets made their way out of the courtroom ahead of the crowd, so they might make their way to their carriage safely.
"I bet the babe is base born too! Whore!" Mr. Collins continued when he caught sight of Charlotte. "Bet it's Bingley's bastard, you dodsey! I could have had your quim too and then my son would inherit!"
Mr. Collins' indignation was sustained for a long while, but as the Bennets and Haddens departed the courthouse, his voice receded behind them. The Bennets returned to the inn in silence, each thinking on Mr. Collins' fate. Each now felt he deserved his fate after all they had been through, even if a twinge of guilt pricked at the edge of their consciousness for being glad that a man was to die.
They had a very sombre evening of reading and writing letters to family of the trial and verdict, after which they retired early. They laid beside each other, talking softly as James stroked Charlotte's belly that was beginning to round. It would not be long before she needed new clothes, or for her old clothes to be let out.
"Do you think he shall be well?" asked James softly.
"I do hope so," said Charlotte. "You do know it may yet be a girl, do you not?"
"Perhaps, but I think the babe shall be a boy."
"Oh yes? Why do you suppose that?" asked Charlotte.
"I have no particular reason. I just think the babe shall be a boy," said James with a shrug.
"It is your own wishful thinking."
"Have you thought of any names, my love?" James asked to change the subject.
"I have not. I admit that I have not wanted to, as I have feared for so long that the babe would perish."
"You are halfway, my love. I hope that means all should be well."
"I do not think we should name the babe until it is born alive," said Charlotte.
"A pet name then," said James. "I refuse to call the babe 'it' for the next several months."
"Baby Bennet?"
"That would apply also to my sibling, you know," replied James.
"I do not know then," said Charlotte.
"We can call him Baby Bennet for now, but I shall attempt to think of something else," said James.
They were then silent, each watching the fire in the hearth as they drifted off into sleep.
Lions' Inn, Hertford, Hertfordshire,
Fourth of April,
Dear Eliza,
I hope you and yours are well. I write only these few lines, so I might inform you that Mr. Collins was found guilty today. He is to hang. James means to attend. I shall not. I am satisfied with knowing he shall be gone. However, I wonder at what should be done about Lady Catherine. She was clearly part of the plot, but I do not know if there is enough evidence to try a lady. Lord Matlock has her under guard, you told me, but I do not know if more should be done. Will you discuss it with Mr. Darcy? We return to Netherfield on the morrow, so address your reply to there.
Your affectionate sister,
Charlotte